As Lydia strolled toward Wickham, she seemed to thoroughly enjoy being the centre of attention. All eyes were on her, except Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s. It appeared he forbade himself from looking at either the bride or the groom. As long as he kept his eyes on Elizabeth, he managed well.
After the ceremony, as Elizabeth’s family walked toward the carriages to proceed to the Phillips’s home for the wedding breakfast, Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, do you not think it is very fine walking weather? Would you care to walk with me?”
A genuine smile lit Elizabeth’s face. If Darcy had been at all in doubt of her feelings for him, this was all the assurance he needed.
“I would like that very much.”
Elizabeth told Jane she would meet them at the house and joined Mr. Darcy. He extended his arm as they began walking, and he said, “I shall make only a brief appearance at the wedding breakfast.”
She certainly understood his wish to distance himself from Wickham; she wished she could do the same. She was still disappointed, however. “There is no need to explain,” she reassured him.
Darcy shook his head. “It is not just Wickham. My cousin is in town and requires my assistance.”
“Mr. Hamilton?” Elizabeth asked.
“No,” Darcy let out a soft laugh. “Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Ahh,” Elizabeth smiled. “How is the Colonel?”
“Doing well.” He reached over with his free hand and placed it over Elizabeth’s fingers, which were closed around his arm. “He hopes to see you again. Will you visit my sister on the morrow?”
“Yes, indeed I will. Please inform Miss Darcy that my uncle is providing me with his carriage, and I shall be there promptly at one o’clock.”
“He and I will likely stop by after you and Georgiana have had some time together.” Darcy let out a deep sigh of contentment. He gave Elizabeth’s fingers a gentle squeeze.
She looked up at him appreciatively. “You have done so much. How can I ever thank you?”
Darcy shook his head. “You have no need to thank me. I did nothing out of the ordinary.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Nothing out of the ordinary?” Elizabeth shook her head. “You managed to convince Mr. Wickham to marry my sister when he truly had no inclination to do so. I saw him over the course of this past week, and I can most assuredly tell you there is no love on his part. She has no fortune… nothing to offer him.” She cast a sideways glance at him. “I was actually convinced you truly did have him under lock and key.” She let out a soft laugh. “How is it that he agreed?”
“He was,” Darcy spoke with forcefulness, “and still is convinced that this marriage will grant him permission to return to Pemberley. But it will not!”
“I see,” she said softly, realizing the import of his words.
Darcy saw at once the regret that shaded her features. “It is only Wickham I will prohibit. I shall amend my decision only if he alters his dissolute ways.”
Elizabeth extended to him a nod of her approval and smiled. “Here is the Phillips’s home. Let us talk no more of Mr. Wickham and my sister.”
They stepped into the Phillips’s home to a celebration that was truly not a celebration at all. Darcy stayed only briefly, taking his leave within the first half an hour.
Before leaving, Mr. Darcy gave Mr. Gardiner directions to his town home, and to Elizabeth he gave all the assurances that he would see her at his home when she came to visit his sister. For that, Elizabeth was grateful.
Chapter 26
After sending the newly married couple off to their new life together—which Elizabeth hoped would not end in a terribly disastrous way for her sister—Elizabeth and Jane returned home with the Gardiners. Now she could look with joyous anticipation toward a new day tomorrow.
After returning from church services the following day, Elizabeth visited briefly with her family until it was time for her to take her leave. She had not felt such nervous anticipation since that day she first arrived at Pemberley. Her heart beat vigorously, and her smile never left her face.
The carriage ride to Mr. Darcy’s home took her from the unfashionable Cheapside neighbourhood into a more fashionable district. The duration of the journey took approximately twenty minutes, providing her with ample time to calm her heart and collect her nerves. When the carriage came to a stop in front of a fairly large, stately home, any success she previously had vanished, for her heart quickly returned to its fervent pulsing.
While the house itself was not as large as some of the others in the neighbourhood, its grounds covered a greater expanse. Several large trees were interspersed about the lawn with small flower gardens surrounding their bases and bordering the house. When the carriage door opened, Elizabeth stepped out, smoothing out her dress with one hand and nervously fingering her necklace with the other.
She walked to the house slowly, her eyes taking in everything about her. When she knocked on the massive wooden door, it was opened directly. She introduced herself to the gentleman who stood before her and informed him that she had come to see Miss Darcy.
“Come in, Miss Bennet. We are expecting you. I am Mr. Harrington. Unfortunately, Miss Darcy has been delayed, but she should return directly.” He looked down the main hall, a trace of agitation on his face, as a woman hurried toward him. “This is Miss Bennet,” he told her as she approached. Turning back to Elizabeth, he said, “This is my wife, Mrs. Harrington, who is the housekeeper.”
Elizabeth readily noticed the same harried look on her face, but dismissed it when she saw the striking resemblance to Anna, the young servant girl who had ridden with her to London. Of course! She said her mother was the housekeeper and her father the butler!
“I am so pleased to make both your acquaintances. I met Anna, who I understand is your daughter, on my journey from Pemberley. I truly enjoyed her company.”
They both expressed their appreciation for her kind words, and then Mrs. Harrington gently took Elizabeth’s arm, guiding her down the hall.
“I know Anna will be delighted to see you. Unfortunately, we have had an unexpected guest arrive who has thrown everyone into fits. I shall inform Anna you are here. Come, you can wait for Miss Darcy in the parlour.”
Elizabeth put out her hand to bring her to a halt. “Mrs. Harrington, if this is an inconvenient time, I can certainly make arrangements to visit another day.”
The housekeeper shook her head. “I would not think of sending you away without hearing first from Miss Darcy. It is only a minor difficulty.”
The look on her face told Elizabeth otherwise, but she dutifully followed her through the house to the back parlour. She heard a commotion coming down one of the halls and saw two maids rushing toward her, their faces pinched with exasperation. This was not like anything she witnessed at Pemberley, and she wondered who caused such turmoil.
As Mrs. Harrington walked out, Elizabeth leaned back in the chair and cast her eyes about the parlour. In addition to the few pieces of furniture that dotted the room, several large paintings were hung on the wall, and a cabinet with wood and glass doors housed a myriad of crystal, china, marble, and wooden accessories. Curiosity prompted Elizabeth to walk over and take a closer look at them.
As she eyed figurines and vases, hand-painted plates, and framed miniature portraits, she again heard the sound of hushed but troubled voices and hurried footsteps. When she looked toward the door, she saw Anna carrying a tray with her tea.
“Oh, Anna! It is good to see you again!”
“Miss Bennet, I am pleased you were able to come.” She walked toward Elizabeth and set the tray down on a table. She poured the tea and handed the teacup to her. A worried glance cast unwittingly toward the door alerted Elizabeth to her distress.